FAQS

BRIS is a voluntary organisation that regulates and provides accreditation to Mohelim (see ‘What Is a Mohel’ below). It trains, regulates, and supports its Mohelim on an ongoing basis to ensure they uphold the highest standards of practice. Accredited Mohelim are listed on the BRIS website, where you can find contact details for each one.

While BRIS may occasionally recommend Mohelim, it does not arrange or provide Mohelim directly. BRIS does not have a formal relationship with parents and any Mohel they may choose to employ. Parents are responsible for directly appointing their Mohel. However, if you have any questions, concerns, or feedback regarding your Mohel or the Bris process, you can always reach out to BRIS for guidance, support or assistance as required.

Yes! BRIS actually stands for British Initiation Society. While “Initiation Society” had a clear meaning in Hebrew and was well understood when the organisation was founded in 1745, it was felt that the name no longer resonates as strongly in modern English. In 2024, as part of a regular review of the Society’s operations, “BRIS” was introduced as the Society’s new name. This change better reflects our purpose while preserving our rich traditions and ensuring we remain aligned with contemporary norms and requirements.

Yes, “Brit” and “Bris” are the same but reflect different pronunciations in Hebrew, depending on the speaker’s origin. “Brit” follows the Modern Hebrew and Sefaradi pronunciation, while “Bris” is more common in Ashkenazi communities. Both terms refer to the same concept: the covenant of circumcision (Bris Milah).

While Milah – circumcision, specifically describes the procedure, the mitzvah is often referred to colloquially as Bris, emphasising the covenant aspect. On this website, we use Bris for consistency with the Society’s updated name.

A BRIS accredited Mohel (plural Mohelim) is a trained and certified expert who performs Bris Milah (traditional form of circumcision). In addition to being skilled in the medical and surgical aspects of the procedure, a Mohel is knowledgeable in the relevant Jewish laws and traditions.

All BRIS accredited Mohelim undergo extensive training to ensure their procedures are performed safely, halachically (according to Jewish law), and with minimal discomfort to the baby. Many Mohelim also have medical backgrounds, and all reputable Mohelim adhere to strict health and hygiene standards.

The Initiation Society (BRIS) provides accreditation and ensures its members meet the highest professional and religious standards.

The Torah commands that the mitzvah of Bris Milah be performed on the eighth day after birth, provided the baby is healthy. Before the Bris, your Mohel will assess your son’s health and confirm the timing.

Interestingly, because a Bris must take place during daylight hours and the Jewish day runs from nightfall to nightfall, the calculation of the eighth day can be affected by the time of birth. For example, if your son is born at dusk or after nightfall, his Bris will fall on what appears to be the ninth day. Your Mohel will clarify these details and ensure the correct timing.

Yes, if the Bris falls on the eighth day and there are no halachic (Jewish legal) concerns, it may be performed on Shabbat or Yom Tov. However, if the Bris is delayed for any reason, such as concerns about the baby’s health or if the baby was born via C-section, then the Bris will not take place on Shabbat or Yom Tov. In such cases, the Bris will be scheduled for a later date.

Your Mohel will guide you on the appropriate arrangements.

Your Mohel will explain the procedure in advance, so you know what to expect before, during, and after the Bris. You will be asked to provide written confirmation of your informed consent. Your Mohel will be happy to answer any questions and will remain available afterward for any follow-up concerns.

All accredited BRIS Mohelim carry out circumcisions using the traditional Milah technique. This method has been followed by Jews for thousands of years and is carried out in accordance with modern standards of hygiene and safety. The procedure is quick, safe, and performed with great care.

It is worth noting that this technique may differ in some ways from what would be done in an NHS setting. As a result, NHS practitioners may be unfamiliar with certain aspects of the technique, the healing process, or with the way it is monitored by Mohelim. If you have any concerns, we encourage you to speak with your Mohel or contact BRIS directly for further guidance.

Your Mohel will also let you know about any practical preparations, such as bathing your baby beforehand and choosing suitable clothing for the Bris.

A Bris does not need to be performed in a doctor’s surgery or hospital, as it is a minor procedure carried out under sterile conditions with strict hygiene standards. The Mohel provides all necessary surgical equipment. Similar to home births, which are a recognised and safe option for low-risk deliveries, a Bris can take place in a home or synagogue, offering a comfortable and familiar setting for the family. Your Mohel will advise on any standard items that may be needed.

As a Mitzvah (commandment), BRIS Mohelim generally do not make performing a Bris conditional on a fee as the focus should always be on ensuring a meaningful experience for your child and family. However, Mohelim are expertly trained, give up significant time to provide this important service, and incur costs associated with it. Therefore, it is customary to show your appreciation for this Mitzvah by offering a gratuity to your Mohel, acknowledging their expertise and commitment, time and expenses.

The level of this gratuity can vary, and it is recommended that you discuss this with your Mohel beforehand to ensure clarity and mutual understanding. Please be assured that the cost of the Bris should never be a barrier to fulfilling this important mitzvah and our Mohelim are understanding and open to having a discussion around this.

Additionally, BRIS is a charitable organisation that relies on donations to continue supporting the community and providing these vital services. Any contribution you feel able to make helps ensure that these important traditions remain accessible to all Jewish families.

Click here to donate to BRIS.

No, not all Mohelim are doctors, though some may be. Mohelim undergo rigorous training and testing before qualifying as accredited members of BRIS. Their training ensures they are highly skilled in both the halachic (Jewish legal) and medical aspects of Bris Milah.

Mohelim continue to be professionally regulated through regular appraisals, educational conferences, Disclosure and Barring Service checks, safeguarding training and other Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities. This ensures they maintain the highest standards of care, safety, and expertise.

As with any medical procedure, complications are possible but Bris Milah is generally regarded as a very safe procedure with an extremely low complication rate. BRIS-accredited Mohelim are trained to the highest standards to manage any situation that may arise. Your Mohel will discuss potential risks with you in advance and explain what to do if you have any concerns.

After the Bris, your Mohel will provide an aftercare instruction sheet with detailed instructions on post-procedure care and guidance and on what to do if any issues arise. The Mohel will also conduct in-person checks on the baby both before and after the Bris to ensure everything is proceeding as expected.

If you ever have concerns, your Mohel will be available to advise. However, in the unlikely event of an emergency, you should contact 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

Babies are generally not anaesthetised during a Bris. The considerations around anaesthesia are complex, particularly given the baby’s young age and the speed and precision of the Bris procedure.

Some Mohelim may offer pain relief options for newborns, which can be discussed with your Mohel in advance.

While our Society primarily facilitates Bris Milah for Jewish families, we recognise that the wider public benefit from BRIS accredited Mohelim’s expertise and being available for circumcisions more broadly.

Accordingly, our Mohelim can undertake both:

• Jewish Bris Milah, where the baby’s mother is able to provide proof of her Jewish status in accordance with the requirements of the London Beth Din, our religious regulatory authority.
• General circumcisions for the wider public.

If you have any questions about eligibility or requirements, please contact your Mohel or BRIS for further guidance.

Many Mohelim are willing to travel. It is worth contacting a few to see if one is available to come to your location.

BRIS, the British Initiation Society, has been training, regulating, supporting and accrediting Mohelim since 1745. It is the only organisation of its kind in the UK, ensuring that the highest standards are consistently upheld.

Mohelim who are not approved by BRIS operate independently and are not subject to the same oversight, regulation, or accountability. By choosing a BRIS-approved Mohel, you can be confident that the procedure will be performed with the utmost care, professionalism and adherence to Jewish law.

Pidyon HaBen (the “redemption of the firstborn”) is a special mitzvah that applies to a firstborn son, where neither parent is a Kohen or Levi. This tradition is rooted in the biblical commandment to redeem the firstborn from service in the Temple by giving a small amount of money to a kohen (a member of the priestly family) as a symbolic act of gratitude.

The mitzvah applies only if the child is the firstborn of his mother and was born naturally (not by C-section). If a father marries a woman who already has children, even if this is his first son, there is no Pidyon HaBen, as the child is not the firstborn of his mother.

For many families, performing a Pidyon HaBen is a once-in-a-lifetime event that carries significant spiritual meaning, symbolising the family’s connection to Jewish heritage and the continuation of age-old traditions.

The ceremony is typically held when the baby is 30 days old and is a meaningful moment of blessing. If you are unsure whether this applies to your son or would like to arrange it, your Mohel can provide guidance.